I get to talk to customers all the time. >> You actually pick up the phone. >> I love it. And I get to learn so much from them. >> And lots of this is like just listening to them, hearing about how their experience was and then figuring out how we can make it better. Howdy y'all. I'm Elizabeth Gore. Welcome to The Big Idea from Yahoo Finance, the show that navigates the world of small business and entrepreneurship. All businesses start with one light bulb moment, and I'm going to take you on a journey with ...

This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter. While the increasing use of AI has been making news in the U.S. manufacturing industry, countries such as China and Japan have been running fully automated factories that require minimal human intervention for decades. These so-called “dark” or “lights-out” factories use machines, robots and automated systems to operate 24/7 without breaks, lighting, heat ...

Core Insights - Procter & Gamble (P&G) has a strong reputation for consistent results and dividend growth, having raised its dividend for 69 consecutive years, placing it among the elite "Dividend Kings" [1] - Following the release of its third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings report, P&G's stock fell by 3.7%, prompting a review of whether this decline is justified or presents a buying opportunity [2] Financial Performance - P&G's second-quarter fiscal 2025 guidance included expectations for full-year sales growth of 2% to 4%, diluted EPS growth of 10% to 12%, core EPS growth of 5% to 7%, $10 billion in dividend payments, and $6 billion to $7 billion in stock buybacks [4] - The latest quarterly results showed a 1% decline in volumes, a 1% increase in price, and a 2% overall decline in net sales, leading to a downward revision in EPS guidance to 6% to 8% for diluted EPS and 2% to 4% for core EPS [5] Consumer Demand and Market Conditions - Consumer demand is under pressure due to various economic factors, including market volatility, job market uncertainty, and rising mortgage rates, leading to decreased retail traffic [7] - P&G's management noted a decline in value consumption in both the U.S. and Europe, with tariffs expected to impact the business by $1 billion to $1.5 billion annually, approximately 3% of the cost of goods sold [8] Competitive Positioning - P&G is better positioned than its competitors to handle tariff pressures due to superior operating margins and a diverse brand portfolio, which helps retain customers even during spending pullbacks [10] - The company continues to innovate with new products across its brands, such as the launch of OxyBoost Power Pods and Gain Odor Defense, allowing it to maintain customer loyalty [11][12] Dividend and Capital Return - Despite the challenges, P&G's dividend remains secure, with a yield of 2.6% and plans to return $6 billion to $7 billion to shareholders in fiscal 2025, reflecting the strength of its capital return program [14] - The stock is currently trading just 3.3% above its 52-week low, resulting in a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 25.6, which is close to its 10-year median P/E of 25.7, presenting a potentially better value for investors [15] Long-term Outlook - While P&G's stock may face near-term pressure due to tariff uncertainties, the long-term investment thesis remains intact, making it a solid option for risk-averse investors seeking reliable passive income [16][17]